One of the down sides to not having a job....I've noticed the news is on ALL THE TIME. I keep my TV on pretty much all day and because of this I tend to see the news about 3 times a day. I don't necessarily watch the whole newscast, I just hear bits and pieces as I pass by while doing chores around the house. Unfortunately, this is enough to be unnerved by what I hear. It seems to me that there have been more shootings in the past few months than usual (I hate that there is even a "usual"). As we speak the news anchor is talking about the shooting at the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C. A couple of days ago we had a shooting at a local, and very popular bar downtown. The week before that a police officer was shot and just last night a teenager was at the park and was shot in the neck.
Perhaps the one that hit closest to home involved a man I didn't even know. It impacted me because the victim was a very good friend of some of my good friends. I never met him but it was made clear to me what a good man he was because my friends all loved him so. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. A victim of circumstance. The bullets weren't meant for him but for others he was with. For this act of cruel revenge he gave his life. The pain my friends have had to bear for the past week is tragic.
What is wrong with people? It makes me sick to think about what could be going through the mind of everyone I pass on the street. Or for that matter, the neighbor down the street that I don't know well. It's no wonder so many people in our world live in constant fear. A fear that can be so encompassing they can't leave their homes. I hate to be such a downer but sometimes I just can't bear to hear the news. I don't want to imagine a world so vile that stepping out of my front door is more of a chance I take than an opportunity to savor. Very sad.
I've gotta get a job because the news is really bringing me down!
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Unwelcome Guests
I've noticed a lot of talk about Spring lately. People blogging about the beauty of it, people mentioning the welcome warmth of it on their Facebook status, and of course the weather people on television taking credit for it (what is that all about anyway? I actually heard our local meteorologist saying we could 'thank him' for the upcoming beautiful weather. Weird.).
Anyway, I love Spring as much as the next person. It breathes life into us and gives us new hope that we can tackle those unfinished projects or start new ones. It revitalizes us and gets us out of the house offering a new, fresh outlook on things. But.....it brings with it some VERY unwelcome guests. Wasps. As strange as it sounds they are the cause of my dread each Spring. I have a fear of wasps that is unrivaled. I don't know where it came from but there is something about a small stinging insect that has the ability to fly quickly and out of reach that unnerves me. Now, I've mentioned before that I'm a big animal lover. I believe all living things big and small should be respected and treated valuable. As part of this belief I try to avoid harming any living being so, for example, when I see a spider I try to catch it and throw it outside. I do this with most all insects. But a wasp I will spray or squash as quickly as possible without a second thought.
My friends and family make fun of me when they see my reaction to one of these winged warriors. I jump and run inside as fast as possible and just peer out the window until it's either gone or dead. The amazing thing is my ability to see one from a distance. It doesn't matter where I am or what the situation, if a wasp is anywhere in the general vicinity I will see it long before it gets near and follow it closely while quietly and tactically planning my escape. My husband thinks I'm crazy. Half of the time I warn him of an incoming stinger he never even sees it. And if he does he knows to just wait for me to flip out and run before he can actually do anything about it.
A few days ago I noticed that they seem to be coming in droves so I let him know that we may have a wasp problem this Spring. He wasn't concerned. He just attributed it to my paranoia that all wasps will eventually take over the world and shrugged it off. Then, I heard my next door neighbor talking about it and that they recently had to have someone come out and spray. I was so happy to hear this because now I have proof and reason to call the insect people without my husband questioning my sanity. I better call tomorrow or this could be a long summer of ducking and running!
Anyway, I love Spring as much as the next person. It breathes life into us and gives us new hope that we can tackle those unfinished projects or start new ones. It revitalizes us and gets us out of the house offering a new, fresh outlook on things. But.....it brings with it some VERY unwelcome guests. Wasps. As strange as it sounds they are the cause of my dread each Spring. I have a fear of wasps that is unrivaled. I don't know where it came from but there is something about a small stinging insect that has the ability to fly quickly and out of reach that unnerves me. Now, I've mentioned before that I'm a big animal lover. I believe all living things big and small should be respected and treated valuable. As part of this belief I try to avoid harming any living being so, for example, when I see a spider I try to catch it and throw it outside. I do this with most all insects. But a wasp I will spray or squash as quickly as possible without a second thought.
My friends and family make fun of me when they see my reaction to one of these winged warriors. I jump and run inside as fast as possible and just peer out the window until it's either gone or dead. The amazing thing is my ability to see one from a distance. It doesn't matter where I am or what the situation, if a wasp is anywhere in the general vicinity I will see it long before it gets near and follow it closely while quietly and tactically planning my escape. My husband thinks I'm crazy. Half of the time I warn him of an incoming stinger he never even sees it. And if he does he knows to just wait for me to flip out and run before he can actually do anything about it.
A few days ago I noticed that they seem to be coming in droves so I let him know that we may have a wasp problem this Spring. He wasn't concerned. He just attributed it to my paranoia that all wasps will eventually take over the world and shrugged it off. Then, I heard my next door neighbor talking about it and that they recently had to have someone come out and spray. I was so happy to hear this because now I have proof and reason to call the insect people without my husband questioning my sanity. I better call tomorrow or this could be a long summer of ducking and running!
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
My Faithful Followers
I've had a few friends tell me I need to write more because they enjoy reading my blog. You have no idea how much I appreciate this. Unfortunately, I seem to be suffering from some sort of writer's block. Every since March 21st (closing day) I haven't had much to say. I thought all kinds of emotions would be flowing out of me onto my blog but the exact opposite has happened. I'm a bit numb. For this, I apologize.
This too shall pass.....
Wassily Kandinsky
This too shall pass.....
Wassily Kandinsky
Monday, April 13, 2009
A New Beginning
"It is what it is." I have found this to be my new favorite expression. My husband and I have just gone through what one might call a "life change". We have each had to make a note of our monetary value, add up our IOU's, and make some business decisions that we didn't want to make. It's never fun finding out what you're worth (or not worth) on paper.
After much deliberation, I have had to close my business. A dream I had for years. A career in the only industry I know. My husband also had to stop operations in his franchise. We opened two businesses together in the same year and closed them together 3 1/2 years later. Luckily, we are a good team and without each other I don't know that we would've survived it all.
It was unfortunate that he had to stop operations but for him that's all it was. He quit working the territory and that was it. I don't mean to down play his situation in any way because with any business closure comes the feeling of failure. I just had a different experience than he did. I had to close a brick and mortar store and it was a very public event. Customers cried, I cried, vendors said how sorry they were, and friends looked at me with such sorrow.
They asked, "How are you handling it?" And I answered, "I'll be ok...it is what it is." They asked, "What will you do next?" And I answered, "I haven't really thought that far ahead....it is what it is." They inquired as to whether or not I will open another store in the future and I answered "I'm not sure. For now, I just need to let it be what it is."
From here I can choose to look at it as a failure (which is the easiest thing to do) or decide it's a new beginning. I choose the latter. There are so many reasons why it was the best decision I could've possibly made but it was also the hardest thing to do. It became a question of restructuring a stressful business or recovering my misplaced life. Life won.
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After much deliberation, I have had to close my business. A dream I had for years. A career in the only industry I know. My husband also had to stop operations in his franchise. We opened two businesses together in the same year and closed them together 3 1/2 years later. Luckily, we are a good team and without each other I don't know that we would've survived it all.
It was unfortunate that he had to stop operations but for him that's all it was. He quit working the territory and that was it. I don't mean to down play his situation in any way because with any business closure comes the feeling of failure. I just had a different experience than he did. I had to close a brick and mortar store and it was a very public event. Customers cried, I cried, vendors said how sorry they were, and friends looked at me with such sorrow.
They asked, "How are you handling it?" And I answered, "I'll be ok...it is what it is." They asked, "What will you do next?" And I answered, "I haven't really thought that far ahead....it is what it is." They inquired as to whether or not I will open another store in the future and I answered "I'm not sure. For now, I just need to let it be what it is."
From here I can choose to look at it as a failure (which is the easiest thing to do) or decide it's a new beginning. I choose the latter. There are so many reasons why it was the best decision I could've possibly made but it was also the hardest thing to do. It became a question of restructuring a stressful business or recovering my misplaced life. Life won.
Now it's time to start finding answers to those daunting questions.
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Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Not Ready Yet
I have quite a few things to say and a lot on my mind but I'm not ready yet.
I'm going through a lot right now and should probably talk about my recent decision but I'm not ready yet.
I need to find someone to blame but also face reality and take responsibility for my decisions, but I'm not ready yet.
Change is upon me and my "everyday" will be altered. For this, I have no choice but to be ready.
I'm going through a lot right now and should probably talk about my recent decision but I'm not ready yet.
I need to find someone to blame but also face reality and take responsibility for my decisions, but I'm not ready yet.
Change is upon me and my "everyday" will be altered. For this, I have no choice but to be ready.
Wassily Kandinsky
Monday, March 2, 2009
What This Woman Needs
I don't know about the rest of you ladies out there, but here's my heiracrchy of needs:
1. To be reminded that I'm worth it every once in a while.
2. A good glass of wine with good friends.
3. To hear the good news before I hear the bad news. Or for there to just be no bad news.
4. To know I will eventually get back home...no matter how long it takes.
5. To laugh so hard I cry.
6. To cry so hard I feel liberated.
7. To know that my decisions will be a good life lesson when they don't produce a good outcome.
8. A sexy pair of heels.
9. For my loved ones to be proud of my success and forgiving of my shortcomings.
10. Jason.
~not necessarily in this order~
So much for Maslow's little theory!
1. To be reminded that I'm worth it every once in a while.
2. A good glass of wine with good friends.
3. To hear the good news before I hear the bad news. Or for there to just be no bad news.
4. To know I will eventually get back home...no matter how long it takes.
5. To laugh so hard I cry.
6. To cry so hard I feel liberated.
7. To know that my decisions will be a good life lesson when they don't produce a good outcome.
8. A sexy pair of heels.
9. For my loved ones to be proud of my success and forgiving of my shortcomings.
10. Jason.
~not necessarily in this order~
So much for Maslow's little theory!
Ignorant People
I just don't understand why people feel the need to be rude. It's been exactly a week now since "the incident" that frustrated me and I've let it fester for too long. My sister suggested I get it out on my blog and maybe that will help me to release the anger created by STUPID people so I suppose I'll share.
I decided to close my store the Saturday before last because I had plans and I couldn't get anyone to cover for me. Keep in mind this is the first time I've EVER closed for selfish reasons and it will probably be the last but I felt I deserved it considering the distress my job has created for me lately. Also considering I haven't had a real vacation in years. I put up a note on the door stating I would be closed that day but would resume regular business hours the next day, etc. When I returned to work on Monday there was a post-it note on the door that so eloquently said, "you suck, you're lazy, why don't you just close for good."
Now, I don't know what this person's intention was but no matter what they were going for this is just plain insulting. When I first saw it my jaw dropped and I just stood there in utter disbelief. The thoughts that raced through my head started with "did my friends do this as a joke?" Of course this was a ridiculous idea so I quickly moved on to "would a customer really lash out like this". Then I thought about my customers and how they tend to be very nice and classy women not to mention most are repeat, loyal customers and friends. Next, I went on to "is this personal? Could it be someone I know that is trying to upset me?" Possibly but I don't think I've done anything to cause this kind of hostility. I finally landed on "it was probably just some punk kid that thought it was funny." I'm sticking with this one because it makes me feel better.
What ever happened to the good ole' saying "if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all." Or has this been lost on our fast paced, couldn't care less, me first society? I know I shouldn't peg all of society for this outrage but it sure does seem that people have stopped thinking about their actions and the effect they may have on others. I mean do we really need to bring others down in order to lift ourselves up? All I have to say to those who were boorish enough to pull this stunt is....karma's a bitch.
Ok...I'm over it.
Wassily Kandinsky
I decided to close my store the Saturday before last because I had plans and I couldn't get anyone to cover for me. Keep in mind this is the first time I've EVER closed for selfish reasons and it will probably be the last but I felt I deserved it considering the distress my job has created for me lately. Also considering I haven't had a real vacation in years. I put up a note on the door stating I would be closed that day but would resume regular business hours the next day, etc. When I returned to work on Monday there was a post-it note on the door that so eloquently said, "you suck, you're lazy, why don't you just close for good."
Now, I don't know what this person's intention was but no matter what they were going for this is just plain insulting. When I first saw it my jaw dropped and I just stood there in utter disbelief. The thoughts that raced through my head started with "did my friends do this as a joke?" Of course this was a ridiculous idea so I quickly moved on to "would a customer really lash out like this". Then I thought about my customers and how they tend to be very nice and classy women not to mention most are repeat, loyal customers and friends. Next, I went on to "is this personal? Could it be someone I know that is trying to upset me?" Possibly but I don't think I've done anything to cause this kind of hostility. I finally landed on "it was probably just some punk kid that thought it was funny." I'm sticking with this one because it makes me feel better.
What ever happened to the good ole' saying "if you don't have anything nice to say then don't say anything at all." Or has this been lost on our fast paced, couldn't care less, me first society? I know I shouldn't peg all of society for this outrage but it sure does seem that people have stopped thinking about their actions and the effect they may have on others. I mean do we really need to bring others down in order to lift ourselves up? All I have to say to those who were boorish enough to pull this stunt is....karma's a bitch.
Ok...I'm over it.
Wassily Kandinsky
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